How is being strong, different from being numb?

Question

Some people run from their problems, some deal with them, and some die from them. If you ignore the pain, is it the same as being strong? For instance, is holding back tears and taking your mind off things considered being numb or strong? What can you do to be stong besides ignoring or running from things you don't know how to handle?

Answer 1

Good question. I tend to avoid and ignore. It works for me, but I don't know that it's healthy.

Answer 2

I think the difference is a little complicated. Being strong sometimes ironically can be letting yourself feel the pain and then saying "ok i felt that, that is pain and now I am letting it go and moving on to the next emotion" Being numb to all pain is not being strong. It is actually very weak. It seems that having the will power to resist our emotions would make us seem strong, but being able to feel them and go through them all is what really makes us strong in my opinion. Being numb is like being in neutral, you will never feel the ups or the downs that strengthen you.

Answer 3

Ignoring or running isn't strong--it's just avoidance--and that will always come back to bite you. Whatever it is has to be processed and dealt with--that's strength. Crying is just an emotional outlet and hasn't anything to do with being weak or strong. Both kinds of people cry. Strong people meet their problems head on and solve them and go on about their lives. Weak people wallow in them forever and live with a victim mentality. Being numb is doing nothing--like being in limbo. It's ignoring whatever it is and never dealing with it.

Answer 4

I need to block certain memories from my mind--but don't believe that doing so is a good thing. I would say that is being numb (avoiding the pain).

I think that a strong person would find a way to deal with his or her problems--whatever it took to do so.

Answer 5

well if you feel nothing at all you either genuinely don't care or are apathetic because you are severely depressed. Numb only exists in novicaine... Being strong isn't holding feelings or fighting tears, it is finding any way to get through whatever the obstacle is and pushing on and still keeping you ambition to succeed and reach your goals. No matter how bad the pain, being strong is feeling all of it, and living through it.

Answer 6

Ignoring pain shouldn't be confused with being strong. Tears serve a valuable purpose. They help to rid the body of toxins that build up during times of stress. They relive tension. They heal.

To be strong? Fake it till you make it. Tell yourself you are a strong capable person. In time you will become so. If your in over your head find a local outreach program and avail yourself of their resources. There are some wonderful people out there who are willing, ready and able to help when we need them.

Answer 7

Ignoring the pain can do it for a while, but it will come back to haunt you.

I agree that processing and working through the issue is the way to go - then you can have a life on the other side of what was causing you the pain.

Answer 8

I guess from the outside view, it's all the same. Only the person knows the difference. As you've implied, even a numb person can act strong. Only you know the true difference.

Answer 9

Being numb means that you just don't seem to feel the pain that others feel. Being strong means that even though you feel the pain, you work through it and move on.

Answer 10

Maybe just do not get emotional at the wrong time but wait until you are alone or with loved ones to let EVERYTHING out. I think being strong is for everyone else's benefit. You can feel your emotions and still be strong, maybe that has to do with thinking clearly as possible.